Dana White says Toronto 'makes sense' for Georges St-Pierre's return

Alec Gearty

Dana White says Toronto 'makes sense' for Georges St-Pierre's return image

UFC President Dana White has yet to announce the fight card when the organization returns to Toronto on Dec. 8. When it comes time for the UFC to elect a headlining act, White may not look any further than starting with Georges St-Pierre. 

“Toronto makes sense,” White told reporters on Tuesday following the Contender Series. “Toronto wouldn’t be bad."

St-Pierre hasn't fought since Nov. 2017, where he defeated Michael Bisping at UFC 217. He took the majority of the next 10 months recovering after he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis due complications leading up to his middleweight bout. The Canadian mixed martial artist, since then, insisted that if he were to return; the matchup would have to improve his "legacy."

After the UFC's 25th Anniversary press conference — where upcoming events were promoted — on Aug. 3, a clearer picture emerged on where St-Pierre could likely headline. The 37-year-old also revealed that he'll likely be ready for his return later this year. 

MORE: St-Pierre picks Khabib over McGregor

“November? Yeah,” St-Pierre told Submission Radio. “There’s also Toronto in December. The thing is, what excites me is what can I have to improve my legacy? What can I do to improve my legacy? That’s number one. And also the money. But legacy number one, the money is there.”

St-Pierre previously fought in Canada on five prior occasions. All five results ended up in his favor, with his most recent win happening against Nick Diaz at UFC 158. 

Since the UFC announced Khabib Nurmagomedov's title defense against Conor McGregor on Oct. 9, three of the year's final pay-per-views still need to take shape: Madison Square Garden in November, Toronto and UFC 232 in Las Vegas, Nev., which concludes 2018. 

St-Pierre was reportedly interested in facing the winner between Nurmagomedov and McGregor for the UFC's lightweight title, but White quickly dismissed any logic behind the potential matchup citing St-Pierre's history. 

Yeah, that’s probably not going to happen,” White told reporters. “He gave up the 170-pound belt, he gave up the 185-pound belt. I mean it’s like ... no. Pick a division.”

 

 

 

Alec Gearty